[ky*cal]

Hi my DS1 who is nearly 9 has had the problem of sneaky poos or encopresis for a few years now, i have been to the Dr and been told to try him with a laxitive or stool softener. Which i did and seemed to work until i stopped giving it to him, im not sure how long i should of been giving him the medicine as it states continual use can be habit forming. I think i might need to go back to the Dr and get some more advice as i dont want this problem to keep going. I only this morning got another laxitive formular which made him have diahorrear, which got him very upset as he didnt know it was there so it went in his pants. Ive been trying to explain to him its happening because hes been holding on for so long and the medicine helps to get it out. But he got very angry and afraid and said he didnt want to take the medicine again! Just wondered how you manage sneaky poos with your child? Any advice would be great. TIA

[Quack Quack]

I have a 6 year old who has Encopresis. He also has Autism, with huge oral sensitivities so oral meds are out of the question.
We have survived the last 2.5 years with a microlax enema every second day, which was working well to stop the stinky thick skid marks in his jocks.
However, a couple of weeks ago we ended up in hospital having a complete bowel flush with a naso-gastric tube. It was horrific, BUT it seems to have worked well in the way that he is eating better, and is currently only having Parachoc daily with movicol on weekends.

goodluck, its a terrible condition to have and deal with.

[ky*cal]

Yes its awful condition for both child and family. In the beginning i started DS on parachoc, but the pharmcist recommended this different brand which is working immediately rather than just softening like parachoc, she didnt think parachoc was good because of the oil stains it leaves (which wasnt really an issues for me, better that then poo ) Its hard to know what is best. Good to hear what other people do to

[kellyellykiki]

our foster son had this, it is not something that can be fixed quickly. it took us well over two years.

he was on movicol. worked up to two adult doses. Still no luck.

it was suggested he may need to be sent to hospital so they could do a flush out of his bowels.

So the doctor prescribed the bowel cleanse that you take for a colonoscopy We had t do that over three days .
First day he took it nothing. we were disappointed as the doctor had said he would put him on the adult strength to start with.

w e went the second day . still nothing, and my boy who was 9 at the time thought he was being starved cause he was only on clear foods, ie jelly, broth, and drinks.

We called the doctor and said so far we have had nothing not even a small one should we stop and just admit him. He said look lets give it one last try give him double, the adult and if that does nothing then we will admit him.

So we gave him the double does and waited. Nothing that night.

next day we sent him to the toilet, cause even though he wasnt going we still toilet timed and all the rest of it. then it would have been about 11 the next day and we were all prepared to organise hospital cause he didnt even get wind.

This might be too much info for some so be warned

anyhow we sent him to the loo, nothing, we said c'mon mate before you hop off we would like you to take three deep breaths and give a push. OMG, to this day, and ive worked in medical situations for close to 25 years and i never heard or seen anything like it. He was so shocked he yelled out 'mum i did a poo" but he emptied his entire bowel. it was unbelievable.


however after he had emptied we had to keep up with the movicol while his bowels muscles rested and relearned what they had to do. It was a further 6 months before we started reducing the movicol
dose then the frequency in which we gave it. To eventually he might have 1 every couple of months just for a little clean out.

Go back to the doctor and chart a plan of action but be prepared for it too take a while, specially since he has had it for a couple of years.